Red alert as two stars align

Henry Winter

MANCHESTER: At the end of a week when no Premier League players featured in the FIFA Team of the Year, it is timely that two vibrant contenders for Footballer of the Year, Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez, are on parade at Old Trafford as the world tunes in on Sunday.

Van Persie demonstrated the deftness in both feet against West Ham United last weekend, controlling Ryan Giggs's 50-metre ball with his left, so deceiving James Tomkins, before shooting right-footed past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

''It's difficult to say what will be the goal of the year,'' reflected the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, at Carrington on Friday.

''There are always incredible shots from 25 yards or a player beating three or four men but there were three parts to that goal. Giggs's half-volley pass, diagonally right over the shoulder of the defender; van Persie's first touch, not just to control it but also take it away from the defender so he could have a quick shot; and then the finish itself.''

Van Persie developed his formidable technique on a concrete court known as ''the cage'' near his Rotterdam home. He enhanced his skills further at Feyenoord, just as Suarez did in Holland when working under Marco van Basten at Ajax.

''The Dutch system produces educated players and we know all about their philosophy of technique,'' said the Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, speaking at Melwood on Friday. ''Luis's technique, though, has come from the streets of Uruguay.''

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Suarez dribbles more than van Persie, deploying all his balance, burst of pace and sudden change of direction on his wriggling runs towards goal.

''Imagine being a defender marking him,'' observed Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard. ''He's got everything hasn't he? He can score fantastic goals, tap-ins. If he gets you in the box you're in trouble. He's a fighter, he doesn't like losing even in training, he's a winner.''

Van Persie is more two-footed, more cerebral in his movement than Suarez. ''They're the two best players in the league on form,'' added Gerrard. ''Michu's surprised a few and he's flying at the moment but they're the two hottest centre-forwards in the league by a long way. Van Persie has done it for years at Arsenal, he's a top player. I love watching him but Luis is the best centre-forward I've played with.''

Ferguson believes van Persie is a strong favourite to retain his Footballer of the Year title. ''He has certainly put himself in the frame - his goals have done that - and his form for us has been excellent,'' Ferguson said. ''I'm sure he will be in the running.''

Having lost out to City on goal difference last season, Ferguson was determined to land the £24 million Arsenal striker.

''It was a lot of money for a player in the last year of his contract,'' he said. ''We wanted him badly, so we were prepared to go the extra mile.''

Van Persie's number, 20, presently reflects his goal tally for United. Suarez has recorded one fewer this season, still a prolific return in a team only recently finding their stride.